Bucs Interviewing Steelers Assistant
February 1st, 2012
Jerry Olsavsky, a former eight-year linebacker with the Steelers and a current defensive assistant, is linked to the Bucs.
Per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Bucs have interviewed Steelers defensive assistant Jerry Olsavsky for an undetermined defensive job.
Joe doubts it would be for defensive coordinator, as Olsavsky has never had a full-time position to coach with the Steelers.
Per Gerry Dulac of the Post-Gazette, the Steelers had high hopes for Olsavsky had linebackers coach Keith Butler left to be defensive coordinator with the Dolts.
Defensive assistant Jerry Olsavsky is interviewing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to become linebackers coach — a move that was likely precipitated when linebackers coach Keith Butler turned down an opportunity to become defensive coordinator in Indianapolis.
Olsavsky, who played from 1989-1997 with the Steelers, would have been in position to become linebackers coach if Butler decided to leave.
Per Steelers.com, Olsavsky “assists in all areas of the defensive staff in their daily operations,” which is probably a polite way of saying Olsavsky is currently a get-back coach.
February 1st, 2012 at 10:27 pm
I don’t like it.. At first glance it looked like Jerry Sandusky.
February 1st, 2012 at 10:33 pm
They do want to emulate the Steelers organization, so you gotta love a good prospect from a top notch place. But a water-boy coach? I can hear the “cheap” chants now..
February 1st, 2012 at 10:40 pm
@rymen.. What?
February 1st, 2012 at 11:07 pm
As a LB coach I would approve. The guy has played the position in the league and has had time to learn from a HOF defense mind. If the Steelers felt he would be ready for a promotion if Butler walked then who am I to argue.
February 1st, 2012 at 11:11 pm
Just what you want for a young rudderless crew. What a cluster puck.
February 1st, 2012 at 11:33 pm
Its greats that we are interviewing people, but when are we going to you know… actually hire someone?
February 1st, 2012 at 11:40 pm
I thought it said Jerry Sandusky at first glance lol.. Just an immediate no
February 1st, 2012 at 11:50 pm
not quite obscure enough.
February 2nd, 2012 at 12:00 am
I think Schiano is putting together his entire staff and then we will hear the names of all the coaches. I hope that Davis is already been tapped on the shoulder.
February 2nd, 2012 at 12:07 am
Damn, who the hell does everyone want for LB coach? I admit I’ve never heard of the guy, but I probably haven’t heard of more than a couple LB coaches in the entire league (and I highly doubt any of you can either without using the magic google). I keep hearing Derrick Brooks, and I’m sure that would thrill everyone. There is only one problem with that: he has never coached any position at any level. Just because he was a great LB doesn’t mean it will translate to great coaching. I really wish people would understand that, but I know that is wishing for too much.
Fact is, we won’t know what is and what isn’t a good hire for quite a while. But it gets a little irritating that every single potential candidate gets shot down by people who are in no position to do so. You aren’t in the interview room, and more importantly you have no idea of the knowledge or coaching ability of these candidates.
February 2nd, 2012 at 12:12 am
I like this prospect.
He sees good football in Pittsburgh, no coincidence that the ownership sets the par for the enter league (spend like them Glazers, that’s another attribute needed to emulate the “winner” you wanna be).
Pittsburgh has some badass LB’s, and why not give this guy a chance, he played for the “Chin” for crying out loud.
February 2nd, 2012 at 12:18 am
Also, pretty confident he can step in right now and be better then Quincy Black.
February 2nd, 2012 at 12:20 am
so great we are putting together a college team.
February 2nd, 2012 at 12:21 am
People, Derrick Brooks is not interested in coaching.
February 2nd, 2012 at 12:23 am
He was a 1oth round pick.
1 Interception and 2.5 sacks in his career. I hope he’s better at coaching than he was at football.
February 2nd, 2012 at 1:32 am
@Hawiaan.. Your right on. Everyone thinks they have to know every coach we hire. No one knew shi! about Tony Dungy, Monte Kiffin, Rod Marenelli, Lovey Smith, Mike Tomlin and that just from our team. I’m just happy our coach gets to hire his staff. And it’s not like if we don’t get everyone we want this year we can subtract and add coaches that become available next year.
February 2nd, 2012 at 2:00 am
Right on Brad! I too would love to see the whole slate of coaches but we can afford to wait a little while longer
if Schiano is as good as some have indicated. KA Bucs.
February 2nd, 2012 at 2:35 am
we are going to kill West Virginia this year!!!
February 2nd, 2012 at 2:39 am
The TBO boys have Bob Fraser (Rutgers DC) as being interviewed (allegedly) today for LBs coach w/Cignetti coming in to be interviewed for QBs coach position
It’s shaping up that we’ll have Rutgers coaches as position coaches and maybe (hopefully) coordinators with NFL coordinating experience? Hopefully? Pretty please with a Butch Davis and a Hue Jackson on top? 🙂
February 2nd, 2012 at 2:39 am
What are you talking about, Hawaiian? You don’t have to be a good coach to be a good coach. Anyone can do it, I bet you can even find some lawyer sitting around behind a laptop blogging that could be a LB coach. Seriously, you never have to play a down of organized football in your life, just cruise the internet for a couple years and it’s ok, you’ll do fine. Derrick Brooks has nothing on some of these guys…..
(insert sarcastic smirk here)
February 2nd, 2012 at 2:49 am
@BamBam,
Now that you say that, I do happen to know of a lawyer/talent evaluator/writer/ex-athlete that is currently looking for work. He’s not a scout, but he is still an excellent evaluator of talent. I figure with his wealth of knowledge and an unlimited amount of time on his hands, he would be perfect for the job. Ladies and gentleman, I suggest we use Thomas 2.2 as the next LB coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers!!!
February 2nd, 2012 at 7:33 am
Whipple,davis,cignetti,frazier,ovlosky perfect mix of college and pro.i would have no prob with whipple at oc and davis at dc with the rutgers and unc guys dilling in positions.where is tom bradley in all this?
February 2nd, 2012 at 8:53 am
Hawaiian, you’re absolutely right. I’m SO sorry for my negative remarks..Who am I to want nothing but the best for the team that I root for..Like a Linebacker’s coach who might actually have BEEN a linebackers coach or at least one that held a similar job for a day or 2 …Why in the world would anyone want experienced quality coaching for this Bucs team..I’m now sold ! Lets go out and find EVERY entry level clipboard carrying, step and fetch it move the headset cable out of the way assistant to the assistant they can find..PERFECT!
February 2nd, 2012 at 9:07 am
actually bellichicks staff has a bunch of mostly college background guys including oc obrien who never coacbed in pros before.
so perhaps some of us are overreacting.
then again bellichick is bellichick and rutgers is rutgers.
February 2nd, 2012 at 9:47 am
Some of these comments are lame as usual. “I hope he’s a better coach than he was a player.” Like they have anything to do with each other. Coaching is teaching. “Ever hear of the saying ‘Do what I say, not what I do?” A lot of great coaches in the NFL were just average players but they understand the game and know how to communicate. They just weren’t blessed with the athleticism to perform at a high level personally. Look at golf coaches. Did Tiger Woods instructor have any PGA wins? Nope. Don’t get all caught up in names or what they did as a player. We need good communicators and instructors. They are going to be coaching not playing.
February 2nd, 2012 at 9:47 am
Eric, I hear ya . My bad. For some reason I keep picturing high quality proven coaches with great fundamental teaching skills.Regardless if they are from the College ranks or not..I can see how one can get that from a clipboard carrying never been a position coach in college or anywhere else for that matter candidate. I’m going out on a limb here but I’m just assuming our chances would be better getting these coaches from more successful programs like Bama, LSU ECT.. If the coaches are going to have a learning curve what is that going to do for the young Buc team ? Help them perform at a higher level more quickly or help delay their development. I think we just experienced the latter don’t ya think? Just askin.
February 2nd, 2012 at 3:36 pm
@Bulldog,
We all want the best for this team, but my point is that none of us know jack about any of these coaches, so it’s ignorant to criticize every single one as if we do. There won’t be a lot of sexy picks when it comes to position coaches, because there aren’t many sexy picks available. We don’t know what this guys responsibilities really were, nor do we know his knowledge of the game. I do know that if Pittsburgh is considering him for a promotion, he’s probably done something right. If we do go out and get an experienced LB coach, chances are he has not been very successful, otherwise he would have moved up the ladder. I just wish everyone would stop b!tching about every candidate. It gets really old.